Feb. 20, 1937 - Feb. 15, 2013

ELKHART — Evelyn Louise Ellison, 75, of Elkhart, went to be with the Lord at 5:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, at Valley View Nursing Home, Elkhart.

Evelyn was born on Feb. 20, 1937, in South Bend the daughter of the late Jeff Henry and Evelena (Johnson) Whitener.

She is survived by two sons, John H. Whitener of Atlanta and Lester J. (Doris) Ellison of Milwaukee; seven grandchildren, Melinda A. Riley, Lester D. Ellison, Tedrina L. Ellison and Darrell D. Ellison, Jarvice Joiner, Derrick D. Franks and Cristie M. Franks-Ellison; and four great-grandchildren. She is also survived by two brothers, William E. Hillard of Fort Wayne and Roy (Kathy) Davis of Dayton, Ohio; two sisters, Delores (Luther) Jackson of Savannah, Ga., and Shirley Mantle of Elkhart; and many special cousins.

She was preceded in death by a daughter, Valerie; her parents; and two brothers, Lloyd and Lyle.

Evelyn was a member of the VFW Post 9944 Ladies Auxiliary and the Pride of the South Bend Temple 264. She will be remembered for her love of traveling, cooking, fishing and bingo. She loved garage sales and thrift shops. She was a member of the Coleman Chapel A.M.E.; her baptism was on April 2, 1989.

The family will be holding a memorial service/repass from 5 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013, at Pierre Moran Pavilion, 201 W. Wolf Ave., Elkhart.

Chapel Hill Funeral Home, 10776 McKinley Highway, Osceola, is handling arrangements.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.chapelhillmemorial.com.

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